Edith Rose Ceccarelli (née Recagno, formerly Keenan; February 5, 1908 – February 22, 2024) was an American supercentenarian.[1] At the age of 116 years, 17 days, she was the oldest person living in the United States and was also the second oldest living person in the world after Maria Branyas Morera from Spain.[2][3]
Edie Ceccarelli | |
|---|---|
 Ceccarelli's graduation photo in 1927 | |
| Born | Edith Rose Recagno February 5, 1908 |
| Died | February 22, 2024 (aged 116 years, 17 days) |
| Known for | Oldest living American (January 3, 2023 – February 22, 2024) |
| Spouses | Elmer Keenan
(m. 1933; died 1984)Charles Ceccarelli
(m. 1986; died 1990) |
| Children | 1 (deceased) |
Biography
editBorn in Willits, California, on February 5, 1908, Ceccarelli was the eldest of the seven children of Italian immigrants Agostino (1874–1965) and Maria Recagno (1881–1973), who both lived into their 90s.[2] Her father was a lumber worker who also sold groceries by horse and buggy before opening a store in Willits in 1916.[4] She graduated from Willits Union High School in 1927.[3]
Ceccarelli danced regularly well into old age, and lived independently until she turned 107 and moved into a retirement home.[5] She suffered from dementia, but was able to walk with a walker until she was 114.[4] Each year, her birthday was celebrated officially by the town of Willits,[6] the final being a drive-by parade to mark her 116th birthday in 2024.[2][7]
Personal life and death
editIn 1933, she married Elmer Keenan, whom she had met in high school, and moved with him to Santa Rosa, California, where he worked as a typesetter for The Press Democrat.[2] They adopted a daughter, Laureen,[2] who died in 2003,[5] and returned to Willits in 1971. After being widowed in 1984, she married Charles Ceccarelli in 1986 and was widowed for a second time in 1990.[3]
Ceccarelli outlived her six younger siblings, two husbands, a daughter, and three grandchildren.[8] She became the oldest living person in the United States when Iowan Bessie Hendricks died in January 2023.[9]
Edith Ceccarelli died on February 22, 2024, at the age of 116. At the time of her death, she was the oldest living American and second oldest living person in the world.[10] Upon Ceccarelli's death, Elizabeth Francis took over as the oldest living person in the United States.[11]
References
edit- ^ "World Supercentenarian Rankings List". Gerontology Research Group. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Singh, Maanvi (February 6, 2024). "Sweet 116: town throws birthday bash for America's oldest person". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ a b c Rifkin, Karen (January 24, 2023). "Willits resident Edie Ceccarelli, Earth's third-oldest-known living person, to celebrate 115th birthday". The Ukiah Daily Journal. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ a b "Essential California: At 113, she may be the oldest native Californian in the state". Los Angeles Times. February 16, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
- ^ a b Karlamangla, Soumya (February 7, 2024). "At 116, She Has Outlived Generations of Loved Ones. But Her Entire Town Has Become Family". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ "America's oldest living person is turning 116. Her hometown is throwing a birthday bash". USA TODAY. February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ "Oldest living American Edie Ceccarelli of Willits celebrates 116th birthday with parade". The Press Democrat. February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
- ^ "At 113, she's California's oldest native. She got through a tough 2020 and is still going strong". Los Angeles Times. February 21, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
- ^ Block, Francesca (January 4, 2023). "Iowan Bessie Hendricks, America's oldest person, dies at 115 in Lake City". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
Hendricks' death leaves Edie Ceccarelli of California as the oldest living American, .... She is set to turn 115 on Feb. 5.
- ^ "Edie Ceccarelli, Willits resident and oldest living American, dies two weeks after 116th birthday". The Press Democrat. February 22, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
- ^ Álvarez, Johanna A. "At 114, Texas woman believed to be the oldest American shares her secret to a long life". NBC DFW, Telemundo Digital. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
A 114-year-old Texas woman is now believed to be the oldest living person in the United States. Elizabeth Francis, who lives in Houston, became the oldest living person in the U.S. after the reported death of 116-year-old Edie Ceccarelli of Willits, California...